Getting Started

If you are considering doing business in Uzbekistan, here are some steps you may wish to consider as you get started:

1. Visit Uzbekistan’s export.gov page to get an overview of economic conditions and opportunities. Access the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library containing more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports, authored by our specialists working in overseas posts.

Contact your local Small Business Development Center (SBDCs)
Starting a business can be a challenge, but there is help for you in your area. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are partnerships primarily between the government and colleges/universities administered by the Small Business Administration and aims at giving educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is an important anti-corruption tool designed to discourage corrupt business practices in favor of free and fair markets. The FCPA prohibits promising, offering, giving or authorizing giving anything of value to a foreign government official where the purpose is to obtain or retain business. These prohibitions apply to U.S. persons, both individuals and companies, and companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges. The statute also requires companies publicly traded in the U.S. to keep accurate books and records and implement appropriate internal controls.

A party to a transaction seeking to know whether a proposed course of conduct would violate the FCPA can take advantage of the opinion procedure established by the statue. Within 30 days of receiving a description of a proposed course of conduct in writing, the Attorney General will provide the party with a written opinion on whether the proposed conduct would violate the FCPA. Not only do opinions provide the requesting party with a rebuttable presumption that the conduct does not violate the FCPA, but DOJ publishes past opinions which can provide guidance for other companies facing similar situations.

The emerging markets of Eurasia present unique opportunities for U.S. companies and Eurasian economies alike. The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program builds partnerships and provides technical assistance by training Eurasian business leaders in U.S. business practices. These training programs directly support Eurasian economic and civil society development by encouraging market-based reforms, while generating valuable export and investment opportunities for U.S. industry.

While Eurasian markets are full of opportunity, there are an equal number of risks that must be considered. A sound understanding of the local market environment is instrumental in managing these risks. SABIT enables U.S. companies to develop this local knowledge by establishing partnerships and training local Eurasian management.

SABIT manages a training program that turns partnerships into results.

The International Buyer Program is a U.S. joint-industry project which brings international buyers from all over the world to the U.S. to participate in trade shows, with the hopes of facilitating business-to-business ventures with key firms exhibiting at these shows. You can find more information online. If you are interested in any of these events, please let us know. We can get you registered for the event, as well as provide pre-arranged meetings and reduced admission fees at the trade show. But please note that we cannot help in any way in regard to U.S. visa issuance.

Upcoming Trade Shows

The American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC) seeks to promote trade and investment ties, cultural exchanges and bonds of friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Uzbekistan. In performing these functions, the AUCC places primary emphasis on serving the needs and interests of its members. To see a current list of their events, visit http://www.aucconline.com/.

Gulfood is a premiere international exposition connecting food exporters and customers from around the world. Learn more at http://www.gulfood.com/.